Attention: Editors and Reporters
Thursday, 19 June 2025

As South Africa approaches the fourth anniversary of the July 2021 Unrest, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC/the Commission) remains deeply concerned by the slow pace of justice regarding criminal incidents that unfolded during that period. Drawing on its investigative findings and the final report titled “July’s People”, the Commission underscores its commitment to ensuring accountability, and transparency, in post-unrest prosecutions.

The SAHRC’s July 2021 report found that the violence in Phoenix and surrounding areas during the unrest was not random, but racially motivated, with African people targeted and attacked. Despite claims that groups of African people carrying pangas posed a threat, this narrative was not substantiated by any of the available evidence. The Commission remains concerned that these claims were racially charged fabrications that fuelled vigilante violence. The Commission has also received evidence of racially motivated mistreatment in custody, where Phoenix unrest suspects were attacked in holding cells by other inmates allegedly seeking retribution.

A total of twelve unrest-related criminal matters were heard at the Verulam Magistrate Court. Six inquests related to Phoenix deaths were also conducted. Disturbingly, all six inquests were concluded informally, without public hearings. These informal procedures, while legally permissible, fall short of delivering the level of transparency and public accountability warranted by the severity of the July Unrest atrocities.

One unresolved murder case from the unrest remains on the court roll and is scheduled to be heard at the Verulam Magistrate Court today, on 19 June 2025. The Commission will attend the court proceedings on a watching brief, represented by Commissioner Philile Ntuli in her role as one of the July Unrest Inquiry panellists. This watching brief forms part of various activities being undertaken by the Commission to monitor the implementation of the July Unrest Report recommendations.

The SAHRC is also actively considering its legal options to request the judiciary to convene formal and public inquests into the July unrest deaths, particularly those arising in Phoenix and surrounding areas, including Khan Road Corner, in Pietermaritzburg. The SAHRC calls on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the judiciary, and all branches of government to commit to restoring public confidence in the justice system by ensuring that the truth surrounding the events that occurred in July 2021 is uncovered through public, formal legal processes.

ENDS